Kimi is back in Malaysia

Well, well...the rain held off once again and Kimi stamped his authority on a surprisingly incident-free Malaysian Grand Prix which saw him drive to an emphatic win to get his championship charge well under way. Poor old Felipe was out-driven by his team-mate and then left the track mid-way through the race and climbed out with is car beached on the gravel(the word at Ferrari is that there was no car malfunction).

Robert was second which, with Nick sixth, rounded off a much better weekend for BMW than had looked likely at one stage. The Pole, who has not been feeling too good, looked absolutely whacked at the end - as did most of the drivers - but he drove a mistake-free race on his own for most of the way. Heikki was third after another faultless performance in his second race for McLaren, remarking aftewards that, in the circumstances that was about the best he could have hoped for.

Behind him it was Jarno who raced impressively to hold off a charging Lewis in the closing stages and then came Lewis who made good headway early in the race, rising to fifth from ninth, only to be the victim of a pit-stop screw-up when the crew could not get his front-right wheel off. In the end Lewis sat in the box for nearly 20 seconds which probably cost him the chance of a podium.

The result leaves the championship nicely poised going into race three in Bahrain. Not for the first time Formula One failed to deliver a cracker when all the ingredients were there. You just never know what's coming. Ultimately this was a great result for Kimi after the disappointment of Australia - the Iceman is back. For McLaren the die was cast on Saturday but they have work to do before Bahrain.

 

Comments

[Xesc]

Poor Felipe, in Ferrari they are looking to replace him in the next season. No Track control its his deadline.

[IDR]

What a nice overtaking Heifield, Alonso, D Coultard. Three cars side by side!

I was pretty sure that kimi was “longer” than Massa, and he was “in fact” the number one of the starting grid. In any case, Massa is demonstrating that is “one lap” driver, as Ed comment.

And… SuperTrulli! Become fourth with a Toyota! More than even expected by the German team. (Nice try of L Hamilton at the end btw).

Kovalainen, Great job! Nice to se him on the podium, meanwhile L Hamilton was struggeling in the middle of nowhere two thirds of the race. Webber has been “thick as a brick” for the britton.

I haven’t seen R Denis receiving Heikki in his first podium with McLaren…

Finally, glad to read in La Gazzetta de lo Sport:

“Alonso come from other planet and is the only reason why Renault got a point today”

Btw, Massa is not very well treated in their first article about the race:

“ Felipe has been able to make a one-two in the first two races: 0 points in both”

[Antonio Xixon but in UK]

Yes Ed, Kimmi is back, and with all the calvary...but for how long?. It was nice to see Dominicalli's smile in the podium, although Kimmi should learn that champagne is better drunk rather than administered as an eye ointment : ).

Anyway, Lewis has done a terrific job considering the pit stop and the 4-5 secs. lost with the wheel, but also demonstrates him ( and other people ) that overtaking, if you don't have a significant advantage, can prove very, very tricky and patience testing. And Webber holding like a lion. I think that people are not going to be happy at Renault, seeing that they can't match a "costumer", although Fernando got near enough, but, hey, if Lewis couldn't overtake him in the race, it was going to be a miracle for Alonso.

Impressive Trulli. What they have been doing this chaps during the winter. I know that is one of the few teams ( if not the only one, can you help me there Ed? ) that has started a new project from scratch, meanwhile the majority has improved the 2007 car, but to have everything right within 2 races, matching McLaren, that's awesome. I know that this one was one off for McLaren, but Toyota will definitely there in the top 8.

Unlucky Rosberg and,,,Massa?, was he unlucky?...Ferrari's telemetry can't find anything wrong with the car, and the TV take wasn't perfect, but in any case, he is not doing himself any favor. Making pole but not finishing the race doesn't give you points...although I think it should to make things more interesting, but that's another history.

And Kubica in his line. Same for Hedfield, who didn't star very well, as Alonso, choosing to follow him in the start, although both recovered well.

As a last comment, is ITV going to cut the post-race press conference meanwhile the second position driver is talking even if Lewis is third?. I wanted to hear Kova's views of the race, but, no chaps, he's not interesting ( even that he's racing for a British team ), neither is Kubica...lovely.

[alex]

Interesting how such a wide track can be so hard to overtake on, all the real fun was to be had on the opening lap. An excellent start from Lewis as always but from then on a pretty boring race, I would love to know why McLaren went for the [seemingly] inferior soft tyre for his middle stint.

[CHIUNDA]

I am still hunting for statistics but i think McLaren messed up Hamilton's race twice today - 1st was the obvious mess in the pits and 2nd was keeping him on the softer tires for 44 laps when i could bet the McLaren looked significantly more aggressive on the harder compound in those last 12 laps; afterall Heikki jumped to the podium from 7th with those tires - do i think Lewis would have cleared Webber faster on the harder tires - yes, but let me dig up the stats first.

[Mari]

IDR, I think it's not fair saying "Kovalainen, Great job! Nice to se him on the podium, meanwhile L. Hamilton was struggeling in the middle of nowhere two thirds of the race". Lewis recovered from 9th to 5th passing Heiki, and the reason for Heiki to pass him was in the pitwall, not in Lewis driving. Anyway, I'm pleased with Heiki's performance, he outdrove Lewis in qualy and is consistent enough to have got two podiums in two races. For Felipe, I have never felt he is one of the best. He has the skills, but his eyes doesn't show what showed Schumacher, Kimi, Alonso or Lewis. This four has predator eyes. In contrast, I can feel some scare in Felipe's eyes, and I think that in his job, you are not allowed to has a tenth of a second of doubhts, lose of concentration or scare. That is what, in my opinion, a champion has and has not the rest. Regards.

[jordi]

To those that were talking about a conspiracy from maFIA against Hamilton: If I'm not mistaken, after all the things that happen last year, the crane, the safety cow, hungary, the tires at Interlagos... this is the first time that Hamilton has been penalized.

[Anon (original)]

I am super pissed off.

First, I set an alarm for midnight to go see the race. Sure, I SET the alarm, that doesn;t mean I PUT IT ON. So I missed the race, and instead had horrible nightmares.

I than try to recoop by writing a huge analysis of the season so far- realy great stuff. THan randomly my compuer switches screens and I lost everything. I am extremely tired, so I'll post the three most important things.

1.) BMW SAUBER WON! In their home race, they scored the most points. Kubica finally gets a podium, and he deserves it. BMW is now nine points clear of Ferrari in the championship.

2.) Massa- ouch. Time for an Alonso and Massa swap? He has a problem that can;t be fixed- he can't keep cool in his races.

3.) here were they than, and where are they now? The points the teams had lat year, the points they have this year, and the differential.
Team Last / This Year Differenial
McClaren 32 24 -8 Bad
BMW 10 19 +9 Good
Ferrari 23 11 -12 Bad
Williams 2 9 +7 Good
Renault 8 6 -2 Bad
Toyota 3 5 +2 Good
Red Bull 0 2 +2 Good
STR 0 2 +2 Good
Honda 0 0 0 Same
S. Aguri 0 0 0 Same
F. India/ 0 0 0 Same
Spyker

As you can see, the most prestigous teams of F1 are in bad seasons, relative to last year (McClaren, Renault, Ferrari).This means more poins for the little teams, causing the success stories of BMW, STR, and Toyota. This is exactly what I was hoping for. The season will be great. Now all I need to do is set my alarms right. I wasn't going to originally, but just to take out my anger, I'll watch Bahrain at like three in the morning, I imagine.

Good night eeryone. Congratulations to Kimi, Robert, and Jarno- tonight's three best drivers. Honorable mention for Heikki, Webber, and Alonso.

Regards
Anon, the original

[javiervivaespania]

Great race of Magic Alonso! As everyone is saying by now, he comes from another planet. Like in horse racing there should be handicapping for F1 so if you have a worse car (and Magic has the worst of them in the grid) you start the race before and they give you some time of advantage.

Massa is very nervous because he knows that our Champion will replace him next year. The fact that Todt has gone is the first hint. He does not know how to drive without TC (traction control), the same as Hamilton who struggled during the whole race to keep his wheels on the track. Perhaps De La Rosa will have to teach him, although Fernando and he are good friends, and both Spaninsh, so...
Regarding all the biased people writing here and not recognizing our Champion's merits, please learn something and then come back.

[francois]

I find it rather curious indeed that McLaren decided to keep Hamilton out behind Webber for a long middle stint.

I don't know how the car behaves laden with fuel (and how much the performance is degraded) but it seemed more sensible to get him from behind Webber and put him on a long final stint - make a final stop on lap 35 with hard tyres , and put him in clear air.The tyres might have lasted as Kubica demonstrated although Lewis is a bit tough on them (as we know from China).

Not the first time McLaren's strategy has looked strange either - I must admit.

[Lucy]

Javier Lewis is one of most experienced when it comes to driving without TC he drove without it in GP2 and won the championship. His problems today had nothing to do with that and if it weren't for the pit stop problem he would have been on the podium.
Did you see the way he overtook Alonso (amongst others) at the start? fantastic! so much for a Hamilton Alonso battle today haha.
I don't know what race you saw but Alonso didn't do great today.
Ferrari don't want Alonso they wouldn't want him causing disruption in the team,they don't need him when they've got Kimi. Alonso expects no1 status remember he would never get that and would sulk like he did last year.
Never mind Alonso coming from another planet, you're on another planet mate!

[D]

^
Javier >

I'm sure nobody here could accuse you, yourself, of being biased in any way whatsoever.

PS. Could you answer that little question I posed you last week. You know; that one about if Mrs Hamilton had been on holiday in Spain when she produced Lewis and Senora Alonso had been on holiday in England when she produced Fernando, would you now be supporting the great Spanish hero Lewis Hamilton in his noble battle against the odds (and the evil FIA) against the wicked Briton, Fernando Alonso?

I can't work out how this nationalism thing is supposed to work.

And it all gets very complicated if one of them is now supposed to have come from another planet.

Where does our moon fit into this one?

Forgive my lack of comprehension: must be that great Spanish rioja we drank with the Honda lamb recipe at luncheon.

Throwing snowballs on Easter Sunday is kind of confusing, too.

[willy]

Well... It seems like Ed blog is sinking without the spanish support, as same as mclaren without Alonso.
It's a SHAME to have a bunch of losers with the best cars while guys like Alonso have to drive an onnion with wheels.
I would like to see Alonso inside a ferrari cock-pit, to see if the so call ICEMAN is so fast as they say!.
I don't see Fernando in a ferrari or a mclaren finishing higher than three. Although there's no doubt in my mind it was the right thing leaving mclaren.THE DIGNITY CHOICE IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT ONE.

PS: sorry Ed about your blog!!!.

[teamwork-toronto-ON]

well, Kimi's first win of his F1 career was here! in Malaysia!
of course, with a better team!
:P

[IDR]

Marie,

Maybe you’re right, after re-reading my post. But that was not my intention.

L Hamilton has had the typical weekend in which you have done a hard work, for mainly nothing: 5 positions penalty in qualy, a team error in the 1st pit stop, and find yourself with an slower car just in front of you, but quicker enough for not being able to overtake him, loosing any small possibility to fight for the podium.

Sometimes happen, great effort, poor results, and nothing to blame on him.

I’m happy with Kovalainen results basically because I have bet on him 300$ for the WDC this year, knowing that the most probable thing is that I loose all. (But if not… I will receive 18 times that quantity). I know this is not quite romantic, but… money walks...

On the other hand, Kova has been on the podium just this one. Then, two podiums in two races? What do you exactly mean?

Felipe, I agree with you. And more to see in the near future. I’m afraid that Felipe will need to fight strongly against… himself. He’s going to have a lot of internal pressure, and I don’t trust on Felipe when he is under pressure.

[A Parker]

I am really worried about some sort of sabotage going on against Lewis. They put him on the wrong tyres, they fluffed his pit stop, and his drinking water didn't work. Kovaleinen didn't have these problems did he? Correct me if I'm wrong. I feel that Ron Dennis, who is obviously behind Lewis, needs to look at the pit crew and analyse carefully what is going on. It is so unfair and distressing to think something untoward might be happening; Lewis was in line for a 2nd on the podium. I've seen quite a few comments on other forums and blogs about this. How disgraceful. And on top of that he has the FerrarIA all over him!

[andrew myers]

an interesting race, well done to Raikonnen, and also to Trulli, good showing for Toyota, surprise of the day was no doubt Kubica and the pace of the BMW's, is this something that we can expect to see full season?

on a side note, Kimmi appeared to cut across the white pit line by quiet a lot at the start, anyone else notice this? is it something that needs following up?

[Nadie]

javiervivaespania, you should read Marca headlines no more, because aren't doing you any good. Alonso's performance today was OK, but nothing "great" (and not a "miracle" as Marca has published).

Otherwise, today another drivers have showed their quality, specially Kubica and Trulli IMHO. Lewis did a good job and was unlucky, but I think he should have overtaken Webber.

[David]

Sorry Javier. I have it on good authority that Ferrari's deal with Vettel is close to done.

The rest of your post is not worth commenting on. Go back to your friends at Marca

[Anon (original)]

I love reading Javiervivaespania's posts. Alonso being my favorite driver (in front of his friend Kubica and Kimi), it is always does good to my morale after reading Javiervivaespania. I remember after Japan last year, I was crushed, but I still smiled after I read J. saying the war was not over. And when Alonso proved just that in the next race, the first thing I did was go to this blog, just to read Javiervivaespania say I-told-you-so (not an actual quote). As controversial he may be, his manner of writing with absolutely no holding back is kind of admirable. No one says what they think more truthfully than Javiervivaespania. Regards, Javier.

[Anon (original)]

Forgive my crazed overposting.

Final thoughts on Malaysian grand prix and the season so far:

1.)Lst year, Ferrari won Australia and McClaren won Malaysia. Today, McClaren won Australia and Ferari won Malaysia.

2.) No driver has won a race he won last year.

3.) Half of the grid is in the points already.

4.) Five pilots have scored in both races Lewis, Heikki, Heidfeld, Kimi, and Fernando.

5.) Only three constructors have not scoed in the points: Honda, Super Aguri, and Force India.

6.) In both races so far, there have bee more retirements than in last year, especilly in Australia.

In the end, we can make the following conclusions:

1.) Traction cntrl makes more accidents (duh).

2.) Traction control makes the grid become tighter, as was hoped for. Pilots like Barrichello and Alonso are benefitting from this and are having an easier time snagging points. It is much harder to remain consistent. Just look at the scorheets of Lewis and Kimi.

3.) The standards of last year as to whom won which race is now no longer applicable. Massa won Bahrain, but his in is not guaranted this year, especially after his disastrous two races.

4.) These four races, Malaysia to Spain, are all races Massa won. So far, after the first race he won, zero points. I think it is fair to say Kimi is dominating him and that Massa ill be second driver, unless he is replaced...but by whom? In my craziest dreams, I would love to see Michael Schumacher climb back int a Ferrari midway through the seaso and lead Ferrari to another victory.

[nicki, california,usa]

Lewis Hamilton: take notice that your team companion is doing pretty good. Are you going to give him the "Alonso Treatment"? I hope not.

[jlk]

Hey nice to see the same crew back. I was afraid the Spanish would disappear considering the mediocrity of the car that Alonso is forced to drive.
One suggestion: why don't we mix up the lexicon a bit so we don't get so tedious in writing style to wit:

1)Racism: since the Spanish are of the same race as the Brits lets call it "culturalism"

2) Xenophobia: in English this word is a bit "over the top" for a sports dialogue so lets call it Anglophile or Anglophobe (same for our Spanish friends)

3)Flatulence: maybe okay in Spanish but is considered a bit crude and unsophisticated in native English. Lets try "BS" which of course is the acronym for "bullshit" but it is a much more acceptable perjorative through universal use.

You Spanish may say "screw you we will say what we want" but I am just trying to help you be more effective in your arguments for your national hero.
JLK (a native speaker)

[allen]

JLK: I'm afraid from now on we have to deal not only with spanish fans but finnish, german and even polish fans as the national heroes are multiplying.
Allen (non-native speaker with a hero from another country)

[pauline]

Kimmi is a drunken bore.

[D]

^
IDR >

My word! Three hundred bucks is a lot to put on anyone at the outset of a Formula One season.

Who'd have bet on Ayrton Senna not even scoring a point at the beginning of 1994?

But I'll be delighted, both for you and for Heikki if you both win it!

Not least to watch the degree of havoc it would wreak to so many other people's carefully crafted plans and assumptions.

[otro javier]

It is a little bit ridiculous to observe how someone like JKR is trying to state the cultural standards of the Ed’s blog. May be Ed have something to say about that point. May be the contribution of the Spaniards in this blog is actually the impoverishment of its cultural level.

Anyway, it would be quite funny to read the British members of the Ed’s crew writing in Spanish. I am sure that the blog will be anything but tedious in that case. And his arguments will be extremely effective and, as always, astonishingly well displayed. Who knows how many sensible comments it is possible to be wrote mixing Lewis and paella; Lewis and fiesta; Lewis and torero;…

Call it racisms, or xenophobia; call it flatulence if you want. But if you don’t find it enough “below the average”, you can call it simply “animus iocandi”.

Dare you to be the first, JKR?.

[javiervivaespania]

Thanks to everyone that take the time to read my posts. Especially to Anon for his kind words.
The thing is, no matter how tough I might sound sometimes I would love to shake hands with all of you and I would be the happiest chap on Earth if I could meet in person any of the F1 drivers, startig from Hamilton. My respect for all of them is huge, even if I sometimes get carried away by my passion for Fernando "Magic" Alonso.

[Mi]

I don't like Alonso, but I have to admit that it's quite impressive the way he is driving that turtle on wheels.
And, about Lewis... Well, he is good, of course, but not the semi-god the british press is trying to sell. Not only his team made mistakes in this race and saying that he would have been second doesn't help...
Come on! Respect your team-mate, man, that will make you a better person and probably a better professional.

[A Parker]

Mi, Lewis would have been second - it not a lack of respect for his teammate. He was ahead of Heikki in the first lap after overtaking a raft of people - didn't you watch it? If it wasn't for the pitstop, he WOULD have been second. Leave off him! I could swear Lewis wouldn't behave like a spoilt idiot like Alonso last year if Heikki carried on beating him. He is a fair decent man, unlike Alonso, and would be spurred on even more by defeat, not spurred on to demand preferential treatment so he could win not just on his own ability (like Alonso). If Heikki carried on beating him, he would accept that but just try harder. The two men are totally different in temperament and decency and Lewis comes out tops every time!

[Nemo]

"Leave off him! I could swear Lewis wouldn't behave like a spoilt idiot like Alonso last year if Heikki carried on beating him. He is a fair decent man, unlike Alonso, and would be spurred on even more by defeat, not spurred on to demand preferential treatment so he could win not just on his own ability." Are you sure of your words. Lewis behave like spoiled child last year and this year, he is a bad person and he deserved what happened with him last season. He is is the rubbish in this sport and anyone who hear him, hate him. Don't be blind and respect the others rookies. Alonso is a respectful person and if you believe anything that british press are selling in UK, in other countries probably know the truth. LH are bad inside and outside the race.

[JACOB]

MARY: Your commentes ara "lovely"
-"I think it's not fair saying "Kovalainen, Great job!"

Yes just because he was in the podium that doesn´t mean it was... If he had been from Great Britain yes... But he is just a Finn... Probably Ron Dennis did something to help him againts Lewis, like last year in Monaco...

-"Lewis recovered from 9th to 5th passing Heiki, and the reason for Heiki to pass him was in pitball"

Of course, it is not because he drove better than Lewis, it will always be a reason. NEVER Lewis fault.

-"Anyway, I'm pleased with Heiki's performance"

Really? Are you really happy with it? You are so nice Mary, Like Lewis and his father, they are so happy too about it. They have always say so.
Well, me too. I really hope Kovalainen keep doing so well and put Lewis Hamilton in his real place.

[ramplano]

Mr.Parker, I thought it was the spanish contingent the ones meant to be angry and sore losers. Your last post shows tones of anger and frustation.

Lewis fought againts all odds this time:penalty, disastrous pit stop, wrong strategy with the tyres... and yet he scored four points. I think this is not too bad even though I agree he could have been in the podium.
As for Heikki, I believe he is fast but he does not match Hamilton skills. Therefore, I don't think there's a going to be a "case"

Best thing to do in my opinion would be to forget about Alonso, who is not a contender this year, and focusing in how Mclaren and Ferrari are going to deal with their own mistakes. Also, keeping on eye in BMW. They look stronger than last season

Regards

[Jean]

I can see many fans here who really put their preferences before reality and facts.

1) Alonso is a great driver, possibly the best in the paddock. The problem is just he has not a good and competitive car this year. That's why international press says he's from another world, cause he's taking the most of a terrible car. We'll see how he does next season with a better car (at Ferrari???).

2) Massa is a good driver, but not as good and complete as a Ferrari driver should be. Everyone knows why he's at Ferrari, and it's not for his own merits. Kimi is very good as well, but he's not extraordinary (I mean, he's not Schumacher, Prost, Senna...). Ferrari should find their best and most suitable driver.

3) Lewis Hamilton is a great driver, but not as good as the British Press insists on affirming (he lacks that special "touch" that makes the difference - see his mistakes on making the right set-up decisions, his inability to protect tyres, his impatience, his inability to keep his mind cool when necessary, etc.) A good sign of this is Kovalainen: does anyone remember a good performance by Heikki last year? Nooo..It's not because he was a bad driver and this year he has improved so much. It's just because he's got a good car. If Hamilton had not started his carreer in F1 in McLaren (no rookie has ever had a good car), he would just be another good F1 driver, as Rosberg, as Vettel or the like.

4) By the way, I can't wait to see what happens if HK starts performing better that LH? How will Lewis react? Will Ron let this situation happen?

[IDR]

A PROPOSAL FOR ED

It seems to me, that is going to be quite difficult to stop talking about L Hamilton/F Alonso/R Dennis last year’s row.

Why don’t you open a specific thread on this topic in which Britons and Spaniards interested on insulting between themselves and/or to those drivers, should place there their comments?

It is not necessary any control over the posts. Just let them insult to everybody, every time they want.

In fact, you can change the title of the thread every month with some provocative message, as for example:

“Alonso will never be remembered as a motor’s sport legend”

And the following month you can change it for:

“Is Lewis destined to be the new motor’s sport reference or will he be the new “Jenson Button”?

It’s not necessary to change the content of the article, just the title. (Nobody is going to read it)

I guess that your blog will have a great success with a small effort from you.

On the other hand, the rest of the threads (and the comments) will be much more easy to read, and, from time to time, every of us can go there if we feel the need to liberate some stress.

[Nemo]

IDR, you are right, this war is stupid, and i don't want to play more, but UK started last year and people have to defend treirselves.

[Mi]

A Parquer: please don't use my post to start another tantrum against Alonso. That's not the point anymore.
I was only trying to say that arrogance isn't good for anyone and, unfortunately for him, Lewis is showing loads of it. I love to watch F1 for many reasons, but hearing some of the things he says is not one of them.

[A Parker]

Ramplano, yes I am angry and frustrated. Angry and frustrated at the useless pit crew and McLaren team who came up with a disastrous tyre strategy, somehow conspired so that Lewis had no water and mucked up his pit stop. As a Lewis fan, yes I am angry and frustrated. Poor loser? Same as the Spanish contingent? No, I respect Heikki's skills and am pleased for him getting a podium as I think he seems like a really nice guy. What prompted me to write my post, was the stupid comment by Mi who accused Hamilton of not having respect for his teammate just because he was stating a fact that he could have got 2nd if not for the pitstop. As for bringing in that dreadful fellow Alonso, I did it as a comparison to how Lewis WON'T behave this year if Heikki continued to beat him. I respect Heikki's abilities and think he will give Lewis a run for his money this year. I also think Lewis will be spurred on by that and not want Ron to hamper Kovy in order to give him an unfair advantage as Alonso did last year. I wish I could forget Alonso and I could easily as he struggles desperately in midfield scoring the odd point (as he deserves). But the Alonso-nutters on this blog continually spout maniacal rubbish about him in their broken English, so even if I didn't mention him, they would.

[A Parker]

Mi, you're confusing arrogance with confidence, decency, a sunny nature and good humour. Sorry for you. If you want evidence of a bad personality, look to Alonso. As others on here defend their preferred drivers, I am defending Lewis against untruths that are frequently bandied about. BTW, just got the latest copy of F1 Racing magazine, and in it there's an interview with Lewis. In answer to the question: "What's the question you most hate being asked?" he replies, "Are you F1's answer to Tiger Woods?" Yet this innocent comparison made by Jackie Stewart was another means to beat Lewis over the head with and accuse him of arrogance, even though he's never made the comparison himself. Untruths, see, bandied about.

I thought his post-race interview was great, and the off-the-cuff comment about the beer really funny. And yet on other forums even that comment was analysed and it was concluded "McLaren knew he'd be asked that question, and so they prepared a funny answer, so it wasn't natural and spontaneous". See how he cannot win - there is a mythical persona built up around the man which is false and disgusting. I know though that he probably wouldn't care a fig - he has a loving family, and a fabulous job that he is brilliant at. He and his friends and family know how nice he is - I'm sure he shrugs off the stupid criticisms and falsehoods clogging up the forums and the media.

[ramplano]

Totally agree with IDR.(this time)

[D]

^
Jean >

To address your points in the order you put them,

1) The best driver in the Paddock is Michael Schumacher!

2) Ferrari knows where to find him. :-) (If only!)

3) Heikki's drive in the rain at Fuji was impressive, in my book.

4) I think Heikki does know which side his bread is buttered at McLaren. And if Lewis is going to stay at Macca long-term, Heikki's realistic aim might well be just to demonstrate to other teams what he could offer them.

I wrote before of perhaps an analogy with the harmonious Senna/Berger team after the explosive Senna/Prost pairing.

Gerhard eventually left (in high and friendly regard) and went to Ferrari to escape from Ayrton's shadow and be his own man.

I'm not suggesting (but who knows?) that Heikki will end up going to Ferrari one day (nor that Michael will return!) but I think Heikki knows how far to push his own corner at McL and when it would be wiser not to provoke a showdown.

The problem last year (as I opined at the time) was that Fernando's two championships were something of an albatross around his neck in the situation in which he found himself (being outpaced by a rookie who was Ron Dennis' protégé).

Had Alonso not been the current double word champion it would not have been so publicly humiliating and he would probably have been better able to deal with it and fight back.

In the same way, if Lewis were now the world champion a lot more eyebrows would be being raised by him being out-qualified by Heikki.

If Heikki, like Gerhard before him, just quietly does his own thing and is his usual happy and friendly self to everybody the mood will be good, results will come, poles will come and before too long, wins will come. And, like Gerhard, he will become very rich!

[Mi]

A Parker, I'm tired.
If I don't think like you (= adore someone without questioning his mistakes), my comments are stupid and I'm confused. Ok then, I will be forever the most stupid an confused woman in the world and very proud to be seen that way for people like you.
Good night and good luck.

[Ron Dennis]

We will not race Kimi, we will race Heikki.

[jordi]

It’s not a fact that Lewis was going to be second if not for the pitstop. That never happened, so it’s not a fact. Even without the pitstop problem, there are too many possible variables to say that Lewis was going to be second. Such comments by Lewis (if he did say so) are arrogant and disrespectful to his team mate. So I would suggest to Lewis that next time, he should move off the racing line once he is finish Q3, or was that someone else fault too? Did he have time to drink a beer there too?

[Anon (original)]

Allow me a devastatingly loud and room filling obnoxious.

OK that felt good.

Last year Alonso fans complained of a bias that Dennis & McClaren had against Alonso. They defended their grounds by pointing out comments like Dennis's like "We racing Alonso, not Kimi." Thy looked at the mud thrown at Fernando,the Hungarian pitstop problem, the United States Grand Prix, etc. Crucially, they looked at the amount of flying laps each person gets between Lewis and Fernando. In the end, they claimed McClaren was conspiring against Fernando. We will never know if they were right or wrong. However, many pro- Lewis fans said that the Alonsoists were cray conspiracy theorists, and that they should calm down, that they were getting disillisuional, etc.

So now Lewis has a problem in his pit stop.

And I hear "McClaren team...somehow conspired so that Lewis had no water and mucked his it stop."

Allow me to deviate from what I try to make my usual norm and be slightly politically incorrec.

ARE YOU WHACKO????

Lewis is the team' number one hero! How can you possibly think that Lewis is being conspired against in favo of Heikki? And how come you didn't think that "th dreadful fellow" Alonso was conspiredagainst when the team aid they had dumped a whole light ver his car? And that's just one occasion!

Come on. You're beng way overly defensive of Lewis and hypocritical, A Parker. Its hard to see our idols fall prey to problems that aren't their fault, just like when Alonso fans and I get angry when we see ou idol struggling wth a shoebox of a Renault.

Which brings me to the point that Alonso is driving a shoebox of a car, a literal turtle. So to people like Lucy, don't judge him when he fails to not get overtaken by Hamilton. You've had ample opportunities to see how he can throw off Lewis when he has equal weapons (Belgium) and furthermore, how he can overtake Lewis with equal weapons (Brazil). And remember, he also overtook Coulthard at the beginning of the race. And I think it's fair to say Coulthard is hard to overtake. Even if you manage to, he rams you in the side, even though he only blows himself up (Australia).

And hey, Javiervivaespania brought up a good point. I also would love to meet all of you guys, and even though I soemtimes am harsh and sometimes go a bit overboard, I repect your views and do not hold this against you personally,.

[Anon (original)]

Correction:

"Allow me a devastatingly loud and room filling obnoxious."

I forgot the last word ofthe setence: laugh.

To Ron Dennis": Good one.

[CHIUNDA]

Monsieur Jean

Lewis already explained how he would behave if Heikki starts whacking his butt - in his words "not the Alonso way".

A Parker

Just to put it on record that you have my backing. This anti-Lewis crap is tiring - i find it intriguing that somebody considers it anti-Alonso for somebody to be pro-Lewis; now where was that rule made?

I basically agree with everything you say about how McLaren handled the weekend - it was a dismal performance and i am particularly mad that they chose the wrong tires; i mean i am out here without all the gadgetry they have and even by last practice on Saturday i would have betted the harder compound was better.

And what was that about Whitmarsh experimenting with Hamilton's strategy - that is precisely why it is not time yet for Ron Dennis to leave McLaren. I hope, as you suggest, the McLaren pit crew and wall are restructured soon - i wonder if Brawn cannot be lured from Honda? It would be a good anti-dote after all if Jean Todt is going to take over Max Mosley's job (now that would be a catastrophe and probably the end of competitive F1).

About Alonso moving to Ferrari - that is not going to happen with Kimi there - simple as that.

[D]

Ed >

Interesting piece about Heikki by the Ronster just posted this morning by Autosport:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/66085

[Stereo]

We know Mclaren rules, we saw last year. When Kimi were in Mclaren nobody knows that he was very bad in there and very unhappy, last year told the unfair team it is, he is happy now in Ferrari more human team. But Alonso don't hide his feelings and he is upset he will tell you, but not everybody likes that anyone tell you the truth.

Good luck Heikki because you need it, if you starts to win Lewis you will have hard problems.

[Melanie]

Wonderful job by Kimi he looked very Schumackesqe.

It was a bitter sweet Ferrari victory, Ferrari could have had a 1-2.

Ferrari should sit down and have talk with Massa he will have to calm down he could have scored 8 points. They should perhaps just make Kimi the number one driver.

Because it seems that Massa's only goal is try and beat Kimi. At the start of the race Massa almost pushed Kimi into the pitwall. It is no use to attack your teammate that way, if other cars got passed them in the process Ferrari wouldn't have been very impressed. Luckily Kimi has a very cool head.

Trulli, Webber and Kubica also did an outstanding job.

[D]

^
Melanie >

Raikkonen is no Schumacher and he certainly didn't look "Schumackesqe" (Schumacheresque? Michaelian?) in Melbourne, the week before.

I feel sorry for Felipe (the driver, not the poster); not least for having had to do at Interlagos last year what he did for the benefit of Ferrari. I know how much that must have pained him to do in Brazil and I respect the grace with which he did it.

I wish him well but I think for him any hopes of the Drivers Championship are now already gone this year, too.

He is, however, a team player and Kimi (and Ferrari) can now be well served by him protecting Kimi's back.

Which is certainly not what Fernando would do (nor should be asked to do).

The very last thing that anyone with any sense would do is put Kimi and Fernando in the same team if they want to win the Constructors Championship.

(I fully recognise that you did not suggest that, Melanie, but others here have!)

[Nemo]

Fernando will never have to protect Kimi's back, he is a champion like Kimi will never have to protect Fernando's back, they are champions. This things have to do people like Lewis last year, but he just disturbed and annoyed him, if team protected to Fernando last year instead of a begginer spoiled child without experience like he demostrated in Brazil and China, nowadays Mclaren has a championship with Fernando. Everybody know.

[D]

^
Nemo >

I think something (quite a lot, actually) may have got lost in tranlation but I suspect we are roughly making the same point.

The intriguing thing to speculate upon is what would have happened at McLaren last year if Kimi had stayed put and been teamed with Fernando...

The short answer, of course is that Michael and Ferrari would probably have won both championships without any need of assistance from the FIA and Ron Dennis would probably have had to sweep up a great deal of bent metal and broken bodywork.

But I'd certainly have set my alarm clock to watch it!

As Sir Frank put it, "You don't place two prize bulls in the same field."

Or as our Spanish friends might prefer to look at it (but I would rather not), in the same ring.

[Nemo]

D, i am not your friend, so don't call me like that. Double face have english people. Don't try to be nice with me, because you are not.